Tone Your Rear While You Walk

Surprise: Your average walk is not a workout for your derriere. "Walking on level terrain does not require you to fully contract the gluteal muscles, so it doesn't do much for toning them," says Wayne Westcott, PhD, fitness research director at the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, Massachusetts. That's because the work is mostly in your quads and hamstrings.

The Routine

"For the best butt toning on two feet," says walking pro Tina Vindum, walk for 5 minutes, do one of the supereffective shapers shown here, then repeat until you've done all four exercises. (If your route has hills, tackle these moves every time the path hits an incline — or a set of stairs — for maximum butt-blasting benefits.)

Skater Stride

Targets: Quads, butt, hips, obliques, back, and triceps

While walking, take a large step diagonally forward to the right with right foot, toes pointing forward (not to right). Sink into a lunge, bending both knees 90 degrees, as you bring left elbow toward right knee and swing right arm straight back. (Beginners, do a dip rather than a lunge.)

Press off left big toe to bring left leg forward, brushing it past right leg, then swinging it forward out to the left diagonal (like a speed skater) to plant left foot, toes forward.

High-Knee Cross

Targets: Quads, calves, hips, butt, and abs

While walking, tighten abs and lift bent left knee as high as you can directly in front of you, coming up on right toes. Simultaneously bend right elbow 90 degrees, bringing it across body toward left knee. (Swing left elbow back to counterbalance.)

Hold for 1 count, then lower left foot to step forward. Repeat with right leg.